Moving house - two weeks in.

melissa-elizabeth

I went bankrupt a fortnight ago now and have come to another hurdle. I currently rent a room at £400 a month which covers everything, apart from food, phone, internet and such, but my live in landlord is moving her boyfriend in. She is giving me a few months’ notice, but chances are, I might not find another place in that time as being bankrupt means I would not be able to find somewhere through an estate agents as I obviously wouldn’t pass a credit check. Plus, if I rent another room, AIB will probably want my new landlord to send a signed letter stating how much I am paying in rent. I can’t exactly move in and then a week later say, oh by the way, I’m bankrupt so can you write a letter so I can send it to the AIB stating how much I’m paying you? I’d probably get thrown right back out. My current landlord was fine with me declaring bankruptcy as I always pay my rent on time and she knew it was through no fault of my own (overtime hours at work being cut down dramatically.) But new landlords won’t know me, so how can they take my word for it really?



I would really like advice on this? I don’t want to go homeless as I have a few cats that I wouldn’t be able to take to sheltered housing, so my only other option is to move back home until I find a private rental as I will get a lease agreement that I can send the AIB. I do have good references and I will get my £400 deposit back so getting in somewhere won’t be an issue, it’s just finding somewhere in the first instance. I have been keeping my eye on gumtree everyday but most of the areas that have popped up so far are pretty unsafe, overly priced or in areas I would need a car… I don’t have a car. I did see a few from a month ago that were lovely and reasonable priced, but they’re gone so I am hoping some pop up soon.



BUT the relationship with my mother is very strained (understatement). As she knows I have been paying the £400 to my landlord, she would probably charge me that whilst I am staying, which is fair enough. The problem is again, I wouldn’t want her to find out I was bankrupt. Is there any way I can get around her finding out but still inform the AIB of what I’m paying her? Like offering them bank statements as proof or would her not knowing and me living there be illegal in some way? Or would they still require a written statement from her? I really don’t want her to find out as the grief she would give me would be unreal and she would spread it around like the plague… plus I doubt she’d let me stay as she’s quite old school and would worry it would give her a bad name as well. I’m only planning in staying there a month, two months tops until I can find somewhere. I’m actually hoping somewhere private does come up before the end of my notice, so I won’t have to go down that road, but I’d like to prepare just in case.



Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

melissa-elizabeth

Can anyone offer any advice on this please?

sleepygirl126

go and see a letting agency and explain your issue. Ask your current landlord to speak to them and verify that you are a good payer. Lots of letting agents don't do credit checks and often rent to the needy including homeless people, asylum seekers etc...if you're honest upfront, are working etc then it will stand you in good stead for them. They won't bite! At least if you know they will rent to you then you know you won't have to go back to your mums xxxx